Author
Topic: first swarm of the season (Read 1053 times)

got a call this morning about a lot of bees on the ground but the lady didn't know what kind of bees.when I got there they had a lot of honeybees on the ground ,so I looked up and about 15ft there they were.it was about the size of a soccer ball.the bees on the ground were the size of a softball.we had a cold front move in and it got down to 29 this morning.i took a rope and threw it over the branch and shook them to the ground (jp style).found the queen and caged her and left the nuc on the ground.it warmed up and the rest made it to the nuc. schawee

Nice catch Schawee, I wouldn't of thought it was possible with this little cold snap we're having, looks like confirmation to what Bailey's been predicting...an early spring.

I have my two Nuc boxes that I had my bees in until a week ago out as swarm traps. I realize that's pretty much a long shot, but I'm hoping for some beginners luck to catch one. :)

I made 4 more 6 frame Nuc boxes (mediums) this weekend for "just in case" future use...splits, swarm traps, etc. Obviously, they're lacking any bee smell, and as a newbie, I'm lacking old comb, but I do have lemon grass oil. Considering all that, I'm wondering if its worth putting them out as swarm traps? Any thoughts, opinions, or suggestions are appreciated.

Logged

"We must reject the idea that every time a law’s broken, society is guilty rather than the lawbreaker. It is time to restore the American precept that each individual is accountable for his actions." - Ronald Reagan

Waiting on mine down here Schawee! Passed by your little yard in Sorrento the other day and didn't know it was yours and asked the fella there if the boxes were for sale and told me they belonged to you. Said you lost the bunch during the flood just like I did. Hope you recover soon. I did a few removals so far and coming back. Bailey has four nucs set up for me and a buddy who let me put hives on his 300 acres by Bonnet Carre spillway. Was doing a job off Grand Point road the other day and saw bee removal sign and figured it was yours too. You the only beek I heard of over there.Blanc

Logged

Psalm 19:9-10The fear of the Lord is clean,enduring forever; the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.More to be desired are they than gold, yea ,than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.

blanc that's the boxes I recovered out of 47 hives.i had 25 hives on that slab and they just sailed away.checked the swarm today and looks like the #s are down sinse the heavy rain yesterday evening and last night but they are doing fine and building new comb. schawee